188 Laser Light Epiphany

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I often mention that pseudoscience deliberately plays off common knowledge, but then makes a logical leap in order to sell you something. In this case; light.

-But wait, there’s more!

Fact, Seasonal Affected Disorder may affect some people. Fact, sunlamps may help alleviate these symptoms. So what’s the inherent lie about these products?

You can look up their patents online and see that many of them use red LED lightbulbs. The infomercials confirm this, and even boasts about “NO harmful UV rays!” They forgot to mention that UVB is the frequency of light that we convert to vitamin D during brief exposures. Oops. for three easy payments you can have a system that slowly drains your batteries!

Unfortunately, a few years ago I had taken my aging dog to the vet for his worsening arthritis. The vet offered “laser light therapy”, the first treatment free. Before I could look it up on my phone to confirm my suspicians, they had lasered my poor old dog. I mentioned to one of the intelligent vet assistants that laser light therapy was a scam, and she replied “I hope not, we spent thousands of dollars on that machine!” And went on to tell me that the Vet had even taken the machine home to use on his uncle’s arthritis.

Discussion (13) ¬

I was wondering the same thing when watching that ad you posted in the blog there. I know studies have shown part of the problems we’re having is unusual daily cycles, messing with melatonin production, etc (so much info I still can’t quite track it all, but I get the gist), also why they say it might not be so good for us to be looking at TV or smartphone screens when we’re supposed to be winding down for bed.

But a sunlamp with no UV light … uh, what? Then it’s not a sun lamp, it’s a personal disco …

I’ve been wondering about that. There’s been advertising like crazy on the local radio about lazer health, claiming to cure all sorts of unrelated aches, sore shoulders, plantar faciatis, lower back pain. It stinks of scam.

A few months ago my cat was at the vet for an infected paw. When I picked him up, they were all proud and gushing about the laser light therapy that he’d been given. They also gave me a glossy brochure on the process. Looked it all up, and the next day returned to the vet with a letter to be placed in the records of my pets. It stated in no uncertain terms that non-science based therapies such as chiropractic, homeopathy, acupuncture, and light therapy, were never to be used on my pets. (And that I’d be happy to find another vet if they disagreed). They refunded the price of the therapy they’d done.

OK, let’s skip over whether or not the therapy is even valid, for just a second. They applied a therapy that the neglected to inform you of beforehand and get your consent? That alone would be reason enough to sue them, and do my darndest to shut them down. Animal or human, you just can’t do that. I wouldn’t even allow a mechanic to do that to my *car*, let alone a veterinarian to a beloved pet!

Usually when you take your pet in to the vet, you sign something saying that you authorize treatment that the vet considers medically necessary. Usually you can put in a cost cap on that liberty. It’s mostly so they can give your pet treatment if they respond badly to a medication or to fix unexpected problems the find while your dog is already anesthetized, etc.

Watch the ad. It specifically says that the LED’s are just so you can know that the infrared light is working. Basically, it’s a really fancy heating pad (infrared) and heating pads do what it claims — the heat does promote additional circulation. I just watched the ad right now, never seen it before, but it seems that it would do what it claims to do.

Don’t know why it’s not displaying, but the ad says that the LED lights are just so you know the infrared light is working. Basically it’s a really expensive heating pad, and heating pads do what they claim — the heat increases circulation.